The team of Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin probably had the best time at TPC Louisiana last weekend. They teamed up to beat the field and help each other win their first PGA Tour titles. It was certainly a special moment for Novak and Griffin as they rose up the rankings on the FedEx Cup leaderboard. But they were not the only ones who caught the attention of the fans in Louisiana. The 2025 Zurich Classic had also partnered with a special group that deals with the social welfare of animals.
Famed CBS reporter, Amanda Balionis, shared an incredible post about her experience at TPC Louisiana on Instagram. She thanked the Zurich Classic hosts and sponsors for the outstanding organization of the tournament. Balionis also talked about how she got to network with other organizations aligned with the PGA Tour event. With a series of pictures from her time in the 2025 Zurich Classic, her post was captioned, “New Orleans I love ya! Huge thanks to @zurich_classic @zurichinsurance for another tremendous week, to @titosvodka for helping us connect New Orleans with @animalrescueno through @puppiesandgolf all week and to this city for being endless fun. Onto Dallas! .” While confirming that she will be covering the upcoming CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Balionis also shed light on an important animal shelter, Animal Rescue New Orleans.
The CBS Sports journalist is the President and Founder of her own animal welfare firm, Puppies & Golf. Balionis was grateful to Tito’s Handmade Vodka for helping her and her organization connect with Animal Rescue New Orleans. The shelter in New Orleans and Puppies & Golf share common goals of aiding animals and helping them find homes. While Animal Rescue New Orleans works primarily in the Louisiana city, Balionis’s firm has connections nationwide.
Over the last few days, Amanda Balionis has also had the opportunity to personally visit the shelter. She has collaborated with Animal Rescue New Orleans on Instagram while bringing attention to their good work among her fans. Let’s take a peek at her activities.
Amanda Balionis shares the amazing efforts of a local Louisiana shelter
Over the past week, Amanda Balionis has paid a few visits to Animal Rescue New Orleans. Apart from discussing long-term partnership, she also participated in a drive with ARNO, encouraging locals to bring in adoptable dogs to the 2025 Zurich Classic. The doors were open for all four days of the PGA Tour event from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. local time. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is also committed to donating a dollar to Puppies & Golf for every drink they sell during the event.
In one of the posts shared by Balionis’s organization, they had also brought attention to an interesting detail. Posted on April 25, 2025, the caption read, “Yesterday’s adoptable dog is appropriately named Rory, and she’s ready for her forever teammates.” Considering her great friendship with the defending champion of the 2025 Zurich Classic, Rory McIlroy, this doesn’t come as a big surprise.
You can follow Balionis, Puppies & Golf, or Animal Rescue New Orleans to learn more about their efforts.
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